“Evil Dead”: A cabin in the woods, a Book of the Dead — what could go wrong? Sam Raimi's “The Evil Dead,” from 1981, is a cult classic because it succeeds in spite of its obvious limitations, scoring low-budget scares with camera tricks, spooky music and Tom Sullivan's over-the-top monster makeup. Bruce Campbell's nonchalant reaction to the bloody mayhem made it pretty funny, too. This slick remake will amp up the gore; hopefully Diablo Cody's fingerprints on the screenplay will preserve some of the original's anarchic spirit.

Also: “Jurassic Park 3-D,” “Upside Down”

Movies open Friday

DVDs

“Dirk Gently”: “Sherlock” fans suffering withdrawal pangs may get some relief from the first U.S. release of this four-part BBC adaptation of Douglas Adams' “Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency.” Quirky Dirk (Stephen Mangan of Showtime's “Episodes”) is either a genius or a con man (his retainer for finding a lost cat includes a new refrigerator), though his curious investigative technique — based, he says, on the interconnectedness of all things — seems to produce results.

“The Music is You: A Tribute to John Denver”: John Denver was hugely popular in the '70s — a friend of the Muppets and a confidant of God — without getting much love from the rock 'n' roll crowd. (Monty Python offed him in one brutal bit.) The man who wrote “Leaving, on a Jet Plane” and “Take Me Home, Country Roads” deserved a little respect. Now, 15 years after his death, he gets some from Dave Matthews, My Morning Jacket and more.

Also: The Band Perry, “Pioneer”; Mudhoney, “Vanishing Point”; New Kids on the Block, “10”

DVDs in stores Tuesday

Books

“Gulp,” Mary Roach: Science writer Roach, who has taken a close look at dead people in “Stiff” and lively couples in “Bonk,” explores every inch of the alimentary canal in her new book. Among the important questions she tackles, according to her publisher: How much can you eat before your stomach bursts? (Monday)